2012+Wooden+v.+Board+of+Education+of+Jefferson+County

931 F.2d 376: Larry Wooden, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Board of Education of Jefferson County, Kentucky, Defendant-appellee

United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. - 931 F.2d 376

Argued Feb. 8, 1991.

Decided April 17, 1991.

Rehearing Denied June 10, 1991

Background:

Larry Wooden filed suit against the Board of Education of Jefferson County after applying for a job that he felt he did not get because of his age. Wooden was 54 in 1988 when he filed suit saying that he did not get a full-time, permanent teaching job while they were being given to younger, less-qualified applicants, because he was over the age of 40. The district court ruled in favor of the Board of Education, saying there was not enough evidence given to prove that there was really discrimination because of age, and that the new hiring policy was free of prejudice as well.

Decision and Rationale:

The Board moved for summary judgment and the district court granted the Board's motion, finding that Wooden presented insufficient evidence from which a reasonable jury could infer that age was a determining factor in the Board's decision not to hire him for a permanent, full-time teaching position. The district court also held that Wooden presented insufficient evidence to support his claim that the Board's salary policy which grants credit for prior teaching experience had a disparate impact on teachers over forty.

Impact on Teaching:

This case is very important for teachers of all ages. As a young teacher being concerned about jobs and fairness there is a lot to learn. As teachers get older there is less chance of them being valued as much as teachers who know all the new techniques. I think that as teachers we should make sure we understand our contracts and all the rights we have as teachers.

Quiz Question: Wooden did not get a full-time, permanent teaching position, because he was over the age of 40.

True or False

Chynna Seymour

Gabrielle Slay